Carpet-stretcher.



PATBNTED MAR. 10, 1903.

C. O. DBVILBISS.

CARPET STRETHER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 12. 1902.

'SWZ'ZZSS),

I0 MODEL.

Hdiesses Pnoroumo., wAsmNcrroN n c ilminn States @HARLEY OFERREL DEVILBISS, OF DERRAHS, MISSOURI.

CARPET-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 722,216, dated March 10, 1903.

Application filed May 12,1902. SerialNo. 106,978. (No model.)

To (all tf1/'1,0m t may concern.-

Be it known that I, @HARLEY OFERREL DEVILBISS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Derrahs, in the county of Lewis and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful tlarpetstretcher, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices employed for the purpose of stretching carpets and the like; and it consists in certain novel features of construction, as hereinafter shown and de scribed, and specified in the claims.

In the drawings illustrative of the invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional elevation.

The device consists in an operating-handle l0 ot' any suitable length, having a Tshead 11 attached to it at one end and supported in position by brackets or braces 12 12, the T- head being provided with a series of teeth 13 to enable it to grip'the carpet. This T-head 11 may be of any length, and the points or teeth 13 .of any suitable length and spaced apart to anysuitable distance to enable them to properly engage the carpet, Attached by brace-arms 14 14ad to the handle 10 at 14h 14c is another head 15, provided with spikes or teeth 16 similar to the teeth 13, but not necessarily so many of them. The head 15 is thus free to swing upon its pivotal points 14b 14C, as will be understood.

Pivotally connected to the handle 10 at 17 are spaced bars 17 17h, and pivotally support-ed at 1S between the spaced bars 14 14 is a curved arm 18a, pivotally connected at its inner end at 19 between the inner ends of the spaced bars 17:L 17b and with its outer end extended beyond the bars 14 14ad and turned off laterally to provide a foot-rest 18h. The inner extremity of the arm 18n is turned OfI" laterally at 1Sc to forma lip which extends over the upper surface of the bar 1'7"L beyond the pivot 2O to form a stop to limit the downward movement ot' the arms. The jointed arms 18a and 17 17b are so disposed that the pivotal line 19 will fall below the line between the pivots 17 and 18, so that when the device is extended as in the drawings they will be locked apart, as Will be readily understood, and can be released only by moving the bars upward at their pivotal points 19. This upward movement and the consequent releasing of the device will be readily accomplished by depressing the end 18b by the foot of the operator.

InV using the device the head 15 is inserted into the floor after one side of the carpet has been tacked down and the end 18b depressed and the handle 10 adjusted to bringthe head 11 in close proximity to the head 15 and inserting the teeth 13 in the carpet. Then by depressing the handle and extending the head 11 away from the head 15 the carpet will be stretched, as will be readily understood, this action bringing the arms 18 and 17a 17b into their locked position, as shown in the drawings, and thereby holding the portion of the carpet stretched until it can be tacked. This action can be repeated Wherever required to stretch the carpet to any required extent and at any required point in the room.

This makes a very complete, simple, and effective implement for the purpose required, easily operated, and requiring the expenditure of very little strength to manipulate it.

The implement may be constructed in any size or form and may be made Wholly of metal or partially of metal and partially of wood.

The Aproportions may be modified and altered without aecting the principle of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is 1. A carpet-stretcher comprising a handle member and a fulcrum member, pivotally united and provided with spurs at their free ends, and a jointed foldable brace comprising pivotally-connected members having pivotal connection at their free ends with the said handle member and the said fulcrum member,one of said brace members being provided with a stop to limit the movement of said foldable brace in a downward direction.

2. In a carpet-stretcher, the handle having spurs upon its lower end, a fulcrum member movably connected by one end to said handle and having spurs upon its free end, bars movably engaging said handle, a bar movably engaging said fulcrum member and pivotally united by its free end to the free end of said handle-bars, and extended byits other IOO end beyond said fulcruin member, substantially as described.

3. In a carpet-stretcher, the handle having laterally-extended lower end, L-bars uniting said lateral extensions and said handle, spurs extended from said extended end, spaced fulcrum-bars movably engaging said handle on opposite sides, and extended laterally in opposite directions, a bar secured to said oppositely lateral extensions and having spurs extending therefrom, a lever-arm pivotally secured between said spaced fulcrum bars, spaced lever-arms pivotally secured between said L-braces and said handle, and extended inwardly and pivotally secured upon opposides of said fulcrum lever-arm, substantially as described.

4. In a carpet-stretcher, the handle having laterally-extended lower end, L-bars uniting said lateral extensions and said handle, spurs extended from said extended end, spaced lever-arms movably secured between said L-bars and said handle, spaced fulcrum-bars movably engaging said handle on opposite sides and extended laterally in opposite directions, a level-arm movably secured by one end between said spaced fulcrum-bars and extended inwardly and pivotally engaging said spaced handle lever-arms and having a lip extended laterally in engagement with one of said spaced lever-arms, substantially as described.

5. In a carpet-stretcher, the handle having laterally-extended lower end, L-bars uniting said lateral extensions and said handle, spurs extended from said extended end, spaced lever-arms movably secured between said L-bars and said handle, spaced fulcrum-bars movably engaging said handle on opposite sides and extended laterally in opposite directions, a lever-arm movably secured by one end between said spaced fulcrum-bars and extended inwardly and pivotally engaging the free ends of said spaced lever-arms, and extended outwardly to afford a foot-lever means, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto alixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLEY OFERREL DEVILBISS.

Vitnesses:

HARRY BROWN, JAMES HAYs. 

